The city of Krafmont itself reminded Dimmetri a little bit of the way things used to be back home. Street lamps that lined the cobblestone roads were either lit by candle lighters in the evening or set a glow by small magic stones. The latter was something Dimmetri had seen before back home and was vaguely familiar with their functionality. The stones looked like small crystal formations that would naturally glow whenever the sun would go down and would typically last throughout night and recharge during the day. The dim blue light they omitted wasn't very bright compared to the lights of the candles but they lasted longer and were more reliable.
The structures they passed were similar to that of older building styles he'd seen back home as well. Most of them had exposed timber frames and cheap shingle roofings that were good at keeping the occupants dry but weren't terribly great at keeping them warm during the colder seasons. Dimmetri had grown so used to "modernized" construction that most newer buildings had been built back home. Even the older buildings had been modernized with better roofing, windows, and more to help keep its occupants not only comfortable but also a bit safer as well. Their own home back in the Plane of Harvest was even built with help of the humans from the Terran Plane of Existence.
Though a bit outdated, Dimmetri still found the city to be rather lively and it reminded him more of the some of the more backwater towns that he had visited that hadn't been touched by their modern world around them yet. People all around stared at them as they made their way through the streets in the same carriage that had brought them to the city in the first place. It wasn't very long in fact before vast crowds began to gather along the sides of the streets as they passed and he noticed the increase in horse back mounted guards that joined them as well.
"And if you look over there, that's actually the district where I first met Mary!"
Violet hadn't stopped talking since they left the bar, pointing out landmarks around the city and telling stories about the past both old and recent as the cart slowly made its way down the street. She was clearly excited and her energy spread through to other occupants in the carriage as well. Iris and Destin both moved from one side of the carriage to the other with Violet, oohing and awing at everything she said and pointed out. Ezra and Razgriz both sat across from Dimmetri side by side as they followed the excited trio around the carriage with their gazes and smiled at the spectacle. Dimmetri found himself watching them as well from time to time but his attention was more on the woman his daughter had become then anything else. Some time had clearly passed since the last time they had seen her. She was no longer the cute little adventurous girl he had held in his arms just the other day. Violet was now an adult. A full grown, beautiful woman with her mothers long hair and his icy blue eyes. She had even told them that she was already betrothed to the Queen of the Kingdom in whom they were on their way to go meet.
On one hand, he felt happy for her, but there was a growing hole in his chest with each tale she recounted with passion and excitement in her voice. Clearly she had already been through so much, she'd grown up and he… he had missed it. Dimmetri had come to want nothing more in his life than to watch their daughter grow up and now, he felt like he had almost been robbed of that. He had been robbed. His heart ached a little and part of him wanted that time back more than anything in the world in that moment. But when he looked into her eyes, Dimmetri could see the pure joy that passed behind them as she recalled the memories of each place she pointed out. She had clearly lived the adventurous life she had always dreamed of and she looked genuinely happy. Dimmetri let out a small, audible sigh as he let the feeling go inside of him. Though he didn't exactly know what had happened, he did have a few theories floating around in his head.
His sigh must have been too loud as he caught Raz giving him a rare concerned glance from across the carriage. He replied with a soft smile and a small wave to let her know he was alright, but even by that response alone she knew it was bullshit. She reached out with her heeled boots and kicked him in the shin hard enough to make Dimmetri flinch a little from the sudden pain. He shot her a warning glare back but that seemed to be enough to appease her as she smiled a bit smugly back at him. His gaze narrowed at her and evil thoughts of revenge began circling in his mind.
"Oh and over there is the local adventuring guild for here in the capital. Currently our nation boasts one of the highest number of active adventurers of all the surrounding kingdoms and territories"
The mention of adventuring brought Dimmetri attention back as he looked out the carriage in the direction where Violet was pointing. There was a large three story building standing at the end of a wide street as they passed. It was painted half green and white with a pair of large wooden doors that were kept open by what looked to be large rocks placed in front of them. Dimmetri instantly recognized the adventuring kind as they stood both in and around the entrance way. Groups of beings wearing all assortments of armor and weapons conversed with one another and moved about in and out of the grand adventurers guild. His eyes lit up as he saw a group unloading what looked to be their latest bounty on a job from the back of a carriage as a young guild associate blanched from the amount of blood and icor that came from the parties trophy. Another group looked like they were taking inventory of their stock, getting ready to head out on their own grand quest.
"Such a large building. Is it the only guild hall in the city?" iris asked as she peered over her husbands shoulder
"Actually, no. However, that particular location also doubles as the head office for the guild as well as a training and proving grounds for new adventurers. There are a few other halls through just the capital alone, but this ones by far the busiest." Violet explained
As the carriage continued rolling along and out of sight of the guild, Dimmetri managed to catch a glimpse of a man standing in the doorway of the guild hall looking over in their direction. The man was wearing fine clothing similar to that of a tailored suit without the blazer. He had a mustache on his upper lip and blue eyes that met Dimmetri's before the guild disappeared from sight behind a row of buildings. Dimmetri's brow furrowed for a moment as he continued to look in the direction in which the guild had been. Something about the man he had seen had thrown him off a bit, though what exactly it was that bothered him he couldn't explain just yet. Frowning a bit, he sat back down in his seat and sat looking out of the carriage as the rest of the city passed them by.
It took them about a half an hour more or so to make it to the front of the castle where a pair of large iron barred gates stood blocking the entrance way in. Two guards dressed in Black, Purple, and Silver armor stood at attention on either side of the gate with large ceremonial looking polearms at their sides. Several more guards stood behind them inside the castle wearing similar armor along either side of the stone paved road leading into the castle itself. The carriage had stopped at the gate and after Lancer Merrygold spoke to one of the guards, the gates were opened and they were allowed to enter.
Merrygold had been seated up with the driver of the carriage during the trip to allow for more room and some privacy for the recently reunited family inside. Earl had left her behind to go ahead of them to the castle to speak with the queen and to inform her of the situation a bit. During the trip, Alexa had been eavesdropping on the conversation inside a bit while doing her duties and keeping a watchful eye out around them as they moved through the city. She doubted they would have come under attack at all but it was still her job regardless to keep watch. As she kept an eye out and listened to the conversation, Alexa realized that it had been the first time in quite some time that she'd heard Commander Violet seem so genuinely…happy. Being a Lancer in the Queen's Army meant that Alexa had spent more time around the Commander and the Queen than the normal foot soldiers had. She had seen more of the two in their private lives and had even had more than her fair share of candid conversations with them both and had gotten to know the two well on a more personal level.
To her, Commander Violet had always been the strong fist of Queen Galenthrope for as long as Alexa could remember. The Commander's steel will and hardened determination had earned her quite the reputation throughout the kingdom. However, Alexa had seen Violet's more gentle side as well, especially whenever she was alone with her soon to be wife, the Queen. Alexa smiled a little as they entered in through the gates and began rolling towards the base of the castle. The two made such a cute couple in her mind and memories of romantic tales of the hero marrying the princess came to her mind as she slightly fawned over the couple in her mind a bit. Alexa wished that one day someone would be her hero and scoop her off her feat just like she'd seen couples do before. Other more, lewd thoughts began to creep into her mind as the carriage rolled to a stop at the front door to the palace. The sight of Earl snapped her out of her fantastical day dream a bit as she hopped down from the spot she had been sitting and took a moment to collect herself a little by slapping herself gently on the cheeks a few times.
Earl had come down the steps from the door and shot Alexa a questioning look when he saw the little display. Alexa, flustered a little bit, waved him off without a word before heading over to the door on the side of the carriage and opening it up as she stood aside. One by one the occupants inside stepped out as Earl greeted them.
"Commander, I have alerted the Queen as you ordered, she is waiting for you all in her royal court." he bellowed with a slight bow towards Violet as he spoke.
"Good work Lancer. I will take our guests to go see the Queen myself. The two of you have earned a break. Go home and rest well and… thank you"
It was Violet's turn to bow back to both Earl and Alexa. The two returned the bow in earnest and Alexa couldn't help but see the slight smile still on the Commander's lips a little.
"If it's all the same Commander, I'd like to still accompany you to the royal court before I take my leave" Alexa requested.
"Understood. Both you and Lancer Wehlington are more than welcome to accompany us then, but afterwards you must take a mandatory respite" Violet replied.
"Of course Commander"
Queen Mary Galenthrope had readjusted herself several times in her throne, trying to pick a position to sit in that would give a good first impression to her fiance's parents. She had tried everything from sitting with her back straight to slouching a bit in her seat to make herself feel a bit more large in charge. She even laid herself across the arms in an attempt to act like it was all no big deal to her that the super cool parents of the love of her life were about to walk through the door. She was panicking a little when she heard the latches to the large wood doors on the other side of the hall click and she quickly sat up straight with her hands folded over her lap. Mary could almost feel the bead of sweat roll down her back as she gulped in nervous anticipation. Henrietta was standing by her side, watching the young queen's frantic antics with a concerned look for her queen's well being. She had been about to intervene when she heard the click as well and both women looked to the door as it opened slightly. A young knight poked his head in through the door, looking just as awkward and nervous as Mary felt as he spoke up and addressed her.
"Y-Your Grace? Lancer Wehlington sends a message" the young knight said aloud.
Mary found herself feeling a bit annoyed for a moment that it hadn't been who she thought it was but also at the same time a bit relieved. It was clear the young knight was new and was so nervous when addressing the queen that he hadn't even stepped inside the hall. Some of Mary's nervousness washed away with the small humor she found in the young knight's demeanor and she sat up a little and smiled warmly at him.
"Please proceed then" She replied kindly and softly to him
"R-Right my apologies my lady. Lancer Wehlington says, and in his own words, 'take a deep breath and…imagine the stars?"
The knight sounded confused by the message but Mary understood the meaning completely. She smiled warmly as she looked to the floor for a moment then looked at the knight once more.
"Thank you sir knight. What was your name?" she asked kindly
"My name is Garth Udatale, my lady," the young knight replied, bowing slightly in the doorway.
"Well thank you Sir Garth. You are doing a wonderful job and please do keep up the good work" she said with a smile
The knight's face seemed to lighten a bit as he smiled back and gave a deep bow towards her before a hand reached through the doorway and pulled the young knight back before the door was closed. Mary couldn't help but smile now. Yet again Earl had worked his magic, full well already knowing the state she'd be in and sent word ahead to help ease her feelings a bit. Mary wouldn't even be surprised if he asked the new young knight to deliver the message personally himself, to help lighten the mood a little for her. She smiled a bit more thoughtfully before she turned and looked over to Henrietta standing beside her.
"Henrietta, I need to change my attire. Could you please go fetch me my dress?" she asked.
The maid smiled and bowed before turning and disappearing behind the throne. A few minutes later, Mary was sitting back on her throne in her new dress. The dress was form fitting and as black as the midnight sky with hundreds of small sparkling specks that covered it. Mary sat upright in her chair, smiling as she inspected her favorite dress and watched as the small dazzling specs slowly rotated through the fabric. The dress was one of a kind, and was a present from her father long ago. No one knew where he had gotten it from and no one knew how the dress was made, but it was Mary's favorite thing in the world, except for her fiancé of course. The note that had once come with the dress had called it "Midnight's Show." The hundreds of sparkles on the dress were supposed to be the stars moving through a galaxy, slowly rotating around its center core where her heart was located in her chest. She'd always loved the stars from a young age and she'd been obsessed with them since the first time her father showed her them through the lens of his telescope. The dress was like a comfort item for her and she usually only wore it out in public on special occasions. She felt leagues more comfortable and confident in it as she sat now more determined than before when another knock came at the door. This time, she saw her fiancé's purple colored hair fall through the crack in the doorway before her beautiful face poked through as well.
"Hey baby, are youuuu… holy shit" Violet gasped and Mary laughed seeing her fiancé's jaw drop a little.
Violet quickly looked back and forth between Mary and whoever was out in the hallway on the other side of the door for a moment before she squeezed through the crack with a devious smile. She quickly closed the door gently behind her before nearly sprinting across the grand hall and bounding up the steps towards the queen. Violet's figure had distorted for a moment as she neared the top of the stairs and in the blink of an eye she had appeared directly in front of Mary before she planted her lips on the queens. Mary was shocked for a moment before she began to softly giggle a little as she kissed her fiancé back.
"Mmm sorry not sorry, you just looked so damn- mmmm!" Violet said after slowly and reluctantly breaking the kiss and fawning over Mary.
"Mmm don't ever be sorry dear" Mary replied as she had a slight tint of red to her cheeks.
"Okay, okay okay okay. Are you okay?" Violet asked as she had to take a moment and collect herself.
Mary smiled up at her and nodded as she reached out and took Violet's hand in her own. Violet smiled back down at her as the two shared a moment together.
"Are they everything you remembered them to be?" Mary asked softly
"Yeah, to be honest I forgot how accepting they are. I was so hesitant at first to tell them about you, about us, but they seemed to be just so happy that I was happy. It was… refreshing you know?" Violet replied
"Good, then I can't wait to meet them"
Violet smiled and nodded before she gave Mary one last peck on the lips before she turned to leave. Mary watched as Violet paused a moment, her gaze narrowing in on the door before she disappeared in a flash. A moment later she reappeared down by the large door and turned and waved with a smile back at Mary. Violet's abilities were one of a kind. Though teleportation magic existed in the world of Portagonia, it was usually more of a ritual spell that required more than just a single spell caster to use. Violet was able to teleport short distances with ease and almost without breaking a sweat. She could even occasionally take another person along with her when she teleported but it required more effort and drained her magical stamina faster when she did so. Mary had also seen her teleport greater distances before but Violet had once explained it as more like shifting between planes rather than actually teleporting when she did so. There were a number of other abilities Mary had seen Violet do before that no one else could. Mary had tried to study this magic before with her fiancé but was only able to get so far. She assumed it had to do with Violet's origins from another world, and Mary partially wanted to ask her parents about it when they were a bit more acquainted.
She watched as Violet opened up the door and waved through to the other side for whomever was there to come on through. Mary's stomach began to turn in knots again as she gulped a little. This was it, this was the moment. She steeled herself and tried to mentally prepare herself for what was about to happen.
The first person to step through the door was a woman. She was absolutely stunningly beautiful and Mary immediately pieced together that this had to be Violet's mother. Everything about the woman was the color purple. Her hair, her skin, even her dress were all different shades and hues of the same color. She stepped into the room gingerly, smiling as she took a quick glance around the room before her attention turned to the queen. She gave a small respectful bow before stepping aside. Everything about the woman seemed beautiful and elegant and Mary couldn't help but watch her for a moment longer before the next person entered.
Next was a shorter man with messy brown hair and a well maintained mustache. Mary wondered for a moment if it was Violet's father, but he didn't fit the description that Violet had given her of him. The man was wearing a leather jacket and let out a low, long whistle as he stepped through the doorway and looked around the room seemingly impressed with the royal court. When he noticed Mary sitting on the throne, the man smiled and made a very large, and a bit over dramatic bow in her direction. The man was immediately shoved out of the way in the doorway by two others who walked in behind him.
The two newest arrivals were a man and a woman, the woman being incredibly short compared to the others. She had fiery red hair and had been the one that had actually shoved the mustached man out of the way as she entered. She wore the same leather jacket that looked similar to that of the mustached man and she wore a black pair of leather pants that tightly hugged her lower half. The man behind her was taller and had much paler skin than the others so far. Where everything about Violet's mother had been the color purple, everything about this man was the color white. Even his hair was as white as the snow, almost like Mary's. He wore a white button up shirt and a pair of gray slacks and shoes. His blue eyes were covered by a pair of circular framed glasses that he pushed up his nose as he entered. Mary could already tell that he had the air of a nobleman by the way he immediately dipped down into a deep bow almost as soon as he had entered the chamber. The red headed woman who was standing beside him, immediately began to bow as well, though a bit more awkwardly than the man.
Mary almost didn't notice the fifth and final person who had entered the room from behind the others. She only noticed the man when he stopped next to Violet's mother, his dark colored leathers standing in stark contrast to the purple Drow beside him. Though he wore a slight smile on his thinner lips, Mary could sense that he was sizing her up a little with his icy blue eyes. Mary was unsure if the man had come to his conclusion so quickly as he nodded a little in place of bowing to her. Between the man's odd, dark colored armor and piercing blue eyes, Mary came to her own conclusion that this man had to be her beloved's father. At this point the Queen was starting to feel a little sick. That was until Violet stepped forward from beside her father and motioned to the group before introducing them.
"My beloved Queen, may I introduce to you my very own family from a world apart from our own"
Mary could tell that Violet was beaming with joy. She had been waiting nearly two centuries for this and Mary could tell that her words were clearly rehearsed yet overflowing with ecstatic energy. This made Mary smile a little as she watched Violet nearly shaking with excitement as she motioned to the far end of the group and introduced the mustached man first.
"May I first introduce my Uncle Destin, famed bard of the InnBetween and party member of the infamous adventuring group known as the Bastard's of the North" Violet proclaimed as the mustached man smiled broadly, seemingly pleased with the lavish introduction.
"Beside him stands my Aunt Razgriz Ioena Lunabread with my Uncle Ezra Lunabread, Lord of house Lunabread"
"It is an honor to meet you, your grace." Ezra said with all the air of his noble standing as he bowed to the queen once more.
"And lastly, may I present, …"
Violet began to trail off a little as she motioned towards the last couple. Mary could see the excited energy quickly draining from Violet's body as her shoulders slumped a little and her eyes began to glass over a bit. The sudden realization of it all was finally settling into her partner and Mary's heart ached as she watched Violet try to keep it together for just a few moments longer. Before she could say anything though, the couple stepped forward on their own accord and stood by Violet's side as they both smiled sympathetically at her. Violet smiled in return and sniffled a little as she held back her tears. A careful nod was exchanged between the couple as they took another step forward past their daughter and introduced themselves.
"My name is Iris Lohnwood-Ioena your grace" the purple Drow said, introducing herself with elegant curtsey.
"And I'm her father, your majesty and my name is Dimma Iglesias Matthew Mark Edwardo Timothy Richtophen Ingelhiem Ioena the First" the man said as he introduced himself as well.
Mary's eyebrows rose a little bit surprised at such a long name. Hadn't Violet told her that her father's name was just Dimmetri? Suddenly it clicked as Mary just caught the small exchange of exasperated looks from the others behind them. The most annoyed of which looked to be Violet's Aunt who looked as if she was holding back an frustrated scream as her husband smiled awkwardly beside her. The name Dimmetri had to have been an acronym for an otherwise extremely long name that her father had given. Violet's mother let out a sigh while she rolled her eyes a little and stood up properly with her hands folded together elegantly in front of her. She shot her husband a side glance as he seemed smugly satisfied with his actions judging by the smirk he gave her in return. With a smirk back in return and another slight roll of her eyes, Iris brought her attention back to the queen with a warm smile.
Mary rose up from her throne and began to descend the steps down towards the couple. Her long dress gently flowing behind her like water running down each step as it chased after her down the stairs. Her eyes sparkled a little and she wore a confident smile as she grew nearer, but her stomach was in nervous knots as she grew closer. Normally, she wouldn't leave her throne during such meetings and introductions and as queen she had every right to remain seated on her throne. However, she really wanted to make a good impression on her fiancé's parents and she thought that perhaps meeting them on an equal level might earn her a bit more respect and a little bit of favor with them as well. Her stomach almost felt like it was wrenching inside her and she had to mentally yell at herself to calm down before she reached the bottom of the steps. She paused only for a brief moment, bowing a little to Violet's parents to mask the silent deep breath that she had to take before crossing the marble floor towards them.
"It is a tremendous honor to finally meet you all. My name is Queen Mary Galenthrope, ruler of the country of Yellicia" Mary pronounced as she held out a hand towards Violet's mother.
When she reached out to take it, Mary instead took Iris's hand first in hers and turned it upwards before she bowed slightly and kissed her hand. This seemed to definitely get the so-called brownie points from Violet's mother as she let out a slight audible gasp at the queen's actions. Mary allowed herself a small smile as she stood back up properly. She had always excelled in diplomatic relations and knew just how to properly sway the opinions of others in her favor. Simple actions such as kissing the hand of someone else instead of letting them kiss hers, usually bought some high favor. In this case, it seemed to work just fine as Mary saw the smile on Iris's face grow a bit bigger and more sincere.
"My daughter has told me much about you even in the short time that we have been… reunited. She sings your praises constantly and I hope I'm not too presumptuous in saying that I do very much look forward to speaking more with the woman who is allegedly…betrothed to my daughter already?"
"Yes of course, though I imagine it has been a long day for everyone. Perhaps maybe we can sit down and start our conversation over dinner?" Mary asked as she strained herself out and addressed everyone in the room.
There were several nods in agreement as Mary watched Violet's mother turn and rejoin her husband, standing beside him as they hooked their arms together. For some reason this act of public affection towards one another made her feel a bit more at ease and she offered them a small smile when they both looked at her. Her gaze then shifted over to Violet who was standing slightly behind her parents and was shooting Mary a small thumbs up. She had to stifle a small chuckle as heart warmed to the woman she loved.